A Bradford park is to be cleaned up ahead of a massive revamp.

The Friends of Wibsey Park and residents will join forces to pick litter from the park on Saturday, June 11 before developers inject £75,000 into a make-over.

The upgrade, which comes after years of vandalism, includes a new multi-purpose area for cricket, basketball and baseball, a separate skate park, tennis courts, a five-a-side football area and brightened-up playgrounds.

The Friends hope the new fencing around the bowling greens, which was completed a few weeks ago, will keep away youngsters who have been causing havoc during school lunchtimes.

Anne Jackson, of the Friends, said: "We hope this will stop children damaging the bowling greens. It's a nightmare at dinner times.

''The park has been blighted by vandalism in recent years. It was lovely when I came here 30 years ago and it has slowly declined

since. We want to return it to its former glory. We hope the new facilities will provide activities for the children so they don't feel the need to hang about in groups causing trouble.

''We want to encourage them to take an interest in their community and park.

"We want to get the park ready by picking up rubbish before the development gets under way."

The money will be released by developers, who are constructing 79 houses at the junction of Reevy Road and Wibsey Park Avenue.

A special agreement imposed as part of the planning permission states that developers must provide amenities for the community as part of the construction.

A Bradford Council spokesman said: "A detailed plan for Wibsey Park is being drawn up and work will begin later in the year.

"It will be funded by money

from a Section 106 agreement linked to a nearby housing

development."

To take part in the clean up between 10am and noon call Anne Jackson on (01274) 405571.